Obituary for Dr. Leighton "Larry" Hartwell Peebles Jr.
Dr. Leighton H Peebles Jr.
1925 - 2019
Dr. Leighton H Peebles Jr. was born on April 15, 1925 in Staten Island, New York and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Larry was a WWII Army veteran of the European theater. He served in the signal core, was a translator and an MP. Larry attended Mercersburg Academy, earned his BS from Union College, and PhD from MIT. He spent the first part of his career as a research lab chemist in private industry and retired as an evaluator at the Office of Naval Research. He was active with the Gordon Research Conferences and served as an MIT thesis adviser. Dr. Peebles was well published. He was the third president of the Adhesion Society which grants the Peebles Award, given each year for Graduate Student Research in Adhesion Science.
Larry met his wife of 65 years, Jeanne, at a church dance in Boston. Together, they created a rich family life filled with their church community, camping, mountain climbing, live theater, music, games, cookouts, reading, hobbies, house chores and homework. Larry was a dedicated band, theater, basketball, crew and soccer Dad. He loved being a grandfather and never missed a chance to get together with his extended family.
Larry was a Church Acolyte coordinator, Vestry member, Boy Scout leader, Club treasurer, bridge player, square dancer, photographer and volunteer. Larry loved interacting with friends and neighbors. He and his wife traveled the world for bird watching and adventure.
Larry passed away on January 18, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Ochs Peebles, daughter Beverly (and Cameron) Temple, daughter Virginia (and Curt) Kaufmann, son Harold (and Kathy) Peebles. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren Emilie Temple Miller, Arwen Temple Wentworth, Bethany Temple Robinson, Cedric Temple, Craig Kaufmann, Jay Kaufmann, Ellen Kaufmann, Julianne Peebles and Michael Peebles, along with his great grandchildren, Zachary, Alex, Mackenzie, Jared, Charis, Anna, Seamus, and Declan.
In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to either the Audubon Society of Massachusetts or the Benchmark One Company Fund (for Benchmark Senior Living at Robbins Brook).
Visiting hours on Tuesday, Jan 22, from 5 PM to 7 PM
Acton Funeral Home
470 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, MA 01720
Funeral Service on Wednesday, Jan 23, at 11:30 AM
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
75 Cold Spring Rd, Westford, MA 01886
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com
1925 - 2019
Dr. Leighton H Peebles Jr. was born on April 15, 1925 in Staten Island, New York and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Larry was a WWII Army veteran of the European theater. He served in the signal core, was a translator and an MP. Larry attended Mercersburg Academy, earned his BS from Union College, and PhD from MIT. He spent the first part of his career as a research lab chemist in private industry and retired as an evaluator at the Office of Naval Research. He was active with the Gordon Research Conferences and served as an MIT thesis adviser. Dr. Peebles was well published. He was the third president of the Adhesion Society which grants the Peebles Award, given each year for Graduate Student Research in Adhesion Science.
Larry met his wife of 65 years, Jeanne, at a church dance in Boston. Together, they created a rich family life filled with their church community, camping, mountain climbing, live theater, music, games, cookouts, reading, hobbies, house chores and homework. Larry was a dedicated band, theater, basketball, crew and soccer Dad. He loved being a grandfather and never missed a chance to get together with his extended family.
Larry was a Church Acolyte coordinator, Vestry member, Boy Scout leader, Club treasurer, bridge player, square dancer, photographer and volunteer. Larry loved interacting with friends and neighbors. He and his wife traveled the world for bird watching and adventure.
Larry passed away on January 18, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Ochs Peebles, daughter Beverly (and Cameron) Temple, daughter Virginia (and Curt) Kaufmann, son Harold (and Kathy) Peebles. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren Emilie Temple Miller, Arwen Temple Wentworth, Bethany Temple Robinson, Cedric Temple, Craig Kaufmann, Jay Kaufmann, Ellen Kaufmann, Julianne Peebles and Michael Peebles, along with his great grandchildren, Zachary, Alex, Mackenzie, Jared, Charis, Anna, Seamus, and Declan.
In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to either the Audubon Society of Massachusetts or the Benchmark One Company Fund (for Benchmark Senior Living at Robbins Brook).
Visiting hours on Tuesday, Jan 22, from 5 PM to 7 PM
Acton Funeral Home
470 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, MA 01720
Funeral Service on Wednesday, Jan 23, at 11:30 AM
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
75 Cold Spring Rd, Westford, MA 01886
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com